Apr112012

Crockpot Ham and White Beans

Crockpot Ham and White Beans

One thing I really love about big holiday dinners are the leftovers I get to play with for the next several days! I love that I can spend just one day with the main dish, and then use it for several different ones over the course of the next few days (or months if you freeze it!) without having to buy any more.

For Easter this year I made a nice big ham with all the sides, and after dinner was over we spent some time portioning out containers of ham to use for sandwiches and other meals like split pea soup, red beans and rice, and the ham and white bean recipe below.

I like to use this one throughout the year (using a package of diced ham from the store is just fine if you crave it post- or pre-Easter) and the family loves it — even the kid who hates beans asks for seconds!

I get six good servings from this, and you can easily adjust it if you need more.

Crockpot Ham and White Beans

1 lb dried northern beans, sorted and rinsed (do not pre-soak)
1 lb ham (ham bone, diced ham, leftover ham, etc)
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1-2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
6 cups chicken broth

Put the rinsed beans, ham, and broth in the crockpot. Add onion powder, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper and stir gently just to combine. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until beans are tender. Remove ham bone and pull off meat, put meat back in the crockpot and discard ham bone.

For a thicker soup, remove 1-2 cups of beans and stock and combine in a blender. Add back to the crockpot and stir. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.